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August 12, 2010

Locals Helping Locals

The trail up Griffith Peak in the Mt Charleston Wilderness
traverses many very distinct life zones with specialized plants and animals. Many
found there are endemic species — found here and nowhere else.

Volunteers will be
helping reroute and restore a section of the trail that goes through some pretty
important butterfly habitat. As part of that restoration, volunteers will collect
seeds from plants that butterflies depend on. This will help with revegetating the
area to its natural condition.

Friends' volunteer wilderness rangers are doing a terrific job
educating visitors about the major challenges to wilderness in the Spring Mountains.
These 10 dedicated volunteers are working hard to increase awareness of damage to
the natural resources from the proliferation of hiking trails to vandalism of bristlecone
pine trees to the abundance of dog waste along the trails.

Thanks to a gift of Sahara shirts from REI and donated labor
from North American Embroidery, our courageous volunteer wilderness rangers are sporting
snazzy shirts while on patrol in the Spring Mountains.

Making it better for wildlife is what the Sheldon volunteers
are all about. Led by Friends of Nevada Wilderness, about 75 volunteers split up into
teams to pull fence that can trap wildlife and hikers alike.

Volunteers also helped
build riparian-protection fences that will let these precious desert springs recover
and support a wealth of critters and plants. A big thanks to our partners the Nevada
Muleys and the Sheldon and Hart Refuge staff! Go team ...

The Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge has released its “Preliminary
Draft Alternatives” planning document for public comment. This is another chance
for you to help the Fish and Wildlife Service develop its Comprehensive Conservation
Plan for the Sheldon.

Working with others to find common ground to protect wilderness
is one of our basic rules here at Friends of Nevada Wilderness. Since January, we
have attended numerous meetings and participated in several field trips into the beautiful
and remote Blue Lakes and Alder Creek wilderness study areas nestled in the Pine Forest
Range of Humboldt County.

Working with local land owners, local officials, ranchers, OHVers,
sportsmen, fishermen and many others, we are finding that common ground in a love for
this unique place. We hope to have a wilderness proposal supported by the Humboldt
County Commissioners and on to our lawmakers by the end of the year.

Right now both the Winnemucca BLM and the Sheldon
National Wildlife Refuge are proposing actions that will affect our potential
wilderness land in northwest Nevada. After finalizing our in-depth review, we will
be asking you to help by sending in your comments. Details and suggested comments
to come in the next eNews.

Stewardship — Join with Friends of Nevada Wilderness and
the Nevada Outdoor School to remove a barbed-wire exclosure at Idaho Canyon. We will
camp at the site. Families are encouraged to participate in this trip.
Kids programs will be provided by the Nevada Outdoor School.
Details

Stewardship — Join with Friends of Nevada Wilderness to
pull weeds and collect seeds of endemic plants for future restoration projects. This
day involves hiking to the upper slopes of Griffith Peak so all participants must be in
good hiking shape.
Details

Stewardship — Friends of Nevada Wilderness and the Austin
Ranger District will be scouting and flagging a route along the Pasco Canyon to Pine
Creek Connector in the Alta Toquima Wilderness. This is a chance to get out and see
this amazing area and experience a great wilderness trail.
Details

Stewardship — The work site is located along the upper
slopes of the Spring Mountains (30 miles from Las Vegas). Volunteers will cleanup
trash and litter from this important wilderness portal to the Carpenter Canyon
Research Natural Area.
Details.

Stewardship — Get to know the depth and breadth of the
Mt Rose Wilderness without the rat race up to Mt Rose Summit. This is
a “wilderness values” trip that does not involve a restoration project.
This is a moderately strenuous trip, and some backpacking experience is
required.Details

Many trips through the year are listed at
Friends' website.
If you want to help keep these great opportunities coming, please click the button to donate:

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